Hydraulic elevation apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

The hydraulic transportation apparatus and method of the present invention incorporate a multiple chamber framework internally disposed preferably within at least one single shaft structure, which facilitates movement of object transport containers within the multiple chamber framework. Preferably, fluid elevation is employed to elevate and lower object transport containers and their contents within the multiple chamber framework. Each single shaft structure may be constructed from an existing rehabilitated shaft, or a newly drilled shaft. The present invention may be utilized in vertical or incline lifting environments, and an auxiliary hoist chamber may be incorporated into the multiple chamber framework for use as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, elevating objects by employing fluid elevation. The present invention may be employed in a variety of heavy lifting scenarios, including underground mining or in above ground lifting environments.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/648,912, filed on Dec. 29, 2009, currently pending, which isa Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/437,973, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,661,910, the contents of both of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method forlifting objects by flotation from beneath the earth's surface or toelevations above the earth's surface within at least one single shaftstructure. More specifically, the present invention provides anapparatus and method for conveying objects within at least one multiplechamber single shaft structure positioned beneath the earth's surface orabove the earth's surface, and elevating and descending objects withinthe shaft structure by employing fluid buoyancy.

2. Description of the Related Art

A persistent and formidable challenge in mining and related industriesis implementing cost effective, efficient and reliable devices andmethods for lifting objects either from beneath the earth's surface orto elevations above the earth's surface. For instance, currently withinthe underground mining industry, demonstrably inefficient and relativelycostly methods and devices are employed to lift rock and other objectsfrom subsurface levels to above the earth's surface. In vertical liftingenvironments, using wire rope hoisting for elevating loads of objectsand lowering containers (from which objects were emptied) is afrequently employed method of transporting those objects from and/orcontainers to beneath the earth's surface. However, hoisting materialseither individually or by load in existing vertical shafts is ofteninordinately space consuming, time consuming, costly, and consequentlyinefficient. Vertical shaft hoisting generally requires an entire shaftcompartment to lift a single load contained in a bucket or similarcontainer, and additionally requires considerable time to lower thecontainer back down the same shaft compartment to complete the hoistingcycle of a single container. Moreover, vertical shaft hoist liftingdevices and methods require the use of relatively expensive equipment,including hoists, wire rope, and corresponding mechanical parts, whichare not only high maintenance, but also demand frequent replacement as aconsequence of normal wear and tear. In high frequency or high loaddensity mining conditions, repair and replacement costs often increaseexponentially. The relatively high costs of energy required to operatevertical hoist shafts are largely a function of load density, and theattendant amount of energy required to offset the friction of variousmoving parts required to elevate each load of materials.

Existing methods for lifting objects within shafts positioned at anincline either beneath or above the earth's surface involve shortcomingssimilar to those previously identified with respect to vertical liftingenvironments. For instance, conveyors, trams, trucks and other suchhaulage equipment are commonly employed to incline lift objects withinmultiple shaft structures. Such incline lifting equipment often requireseven more moving parts and mechanical operation in comparison tovertical hoisting equipment, and often includes significant manual laborefforts to complete each mining cycle.

Apparent attempts to alleviate some of the disadvantages associated withexisting vertical and incline lifting technologies have resulted indevices and methods embodying similarly disadvantageous characteristics,and in some instances substantially more problematic operationalcomponents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,247,229 to Evans represents one suchattempt. The Evans Patent discloses an underground mining method andapparatus employing at least two separate downwardly descending shaftsconnected by at least one lateral opening incorporating a series ofconveyors and moveable doors to facilitate container movementunderground. One shaft is required to receive an ore carrier, whichpasses through a moveable door opening into a compartment for loading,and through a second moveable door opening into the second shaft. Thesecond shaft is required to elevate the loaded ore carrier to theearth's surface. The apparent structural, operational and economicdemands of employing two or more separate shafts to complete a miningcycle are most likely significant. Ostensibly, not only must at leasttwo separate shafts be drilled or existing parallel shafts located andrehabilitated, but each shaft must be linked by the elaborate lateralopening connecting the multiple shafts, which presumably incorporatesexpensive equipment and corresponding maintenance and repair.

Thus, a need exists for a lifting apparatus and method capable ofelevating animate and inanimate objects from beneath the earth's surfaceor to locations above the earth's surface and accordingly returningcontainers for reloading, preferably within a single shaft structureemploying fluid buoyancy to elevate and lower containers andcorresponding objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The hydraulic elevation and lowering (or returning) apparatus and methodof the present invention overcome the functional and operationallimitations currently prevalent in existing heavy lifting equipment,which impede operational efficiency, including with respect tounderground mining and above ground lifting environments. The hydraulicelevation and lowering apparatus and method of the present invention maybe employed preferably within at least one single shaft structure, whichmay be constructed from an existing rehabilitated shaft or a newlydrilled shaft positioned beneath or above the earth's surface.

The present invention incorporates a chamber framework internallydisposed preferably within at least one single shaft structure, whichfacilitates movement of an object transport container within the chamberframework to remove objects from, or deliver objects to, locationsbeneath or above the earth's surface. The chamber framework mayincorporate a tripartite, dual, or otherwise multiple cavity structure,or in some embodiments may include a single cavity structure.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, the hydraulic elevationapparatus is used in a vertical lifting environment which may be eitherbelow ground or above ground. The chamber framework internally disposedwithin a single shaft structure includes a tripartite cavity structure,which incorporates a vertically positioned cavity creating a returnchamber, a vertically positioned cavity creating a delivery chamber, anda vertically positioned cavity creating an auxiliary hoist chamber. Forunderground mining operations, one or more of the delivery, return andauxiliary chambers may include unlined bored hole in rock or lined holewith cement or other similar materials. The return and auxiliary hoistchambers are laterally positioned on either side of the deliverychamber. Empty, collapsed or filled transport containers may be loweredwithin the return chamber via a wire rope hoist or similar device, ormay be lowered using negative fluid buoyancy such that the containerssink in a fluid within the return chamber. In the auxiliary hoistchamber, multiple empty transport containers may be returnedsimultaneously in one hoisting cycle by employing collapsible, stacked,or tapered containers fitting inside each other.

The lower section of the return chamber is operatively positioned withrespect to a transport channel and storage bin containing ore or otherobjects. The transport channel facilitates transport container loadingwhile the transport container remains within the return chamber. Thetransport container may be removed from the return chamber for loading,and subsequently placed back into the return chamber for furthertransport.

The delivery chamber laterally positioned adjacent to the return chamberincludes a lower chamber section and an upper chamber section, betweenwhich a fluid control valve is operatively positioned. The lower chambersection of the delivery chamber includes a lower chamber hatch, which isremotely opened and closed to facilitate entry and retention of thetransport container within the return chamber. The upper chamber sectionof the delivery chamber contains a fluid, such as water, which ispermitted controlled entry into the lower chamber section to facilitateelevating the container from within the lower chamber section, throughthe upper chamber section, and eventually to the top of the deliverychamber for removal. The fluid control valve positioned within thedelivery chamber controls fluid flow from the upper chamber section intothe lower chamber section of the delivery chamber.

The auxiliary hoist chamber positioned adjacent to the delivery chamberincludes a transport container operatively connected to a pulleymechanism or other surface hoist device, and facilitates lifting thetransport container within the chamber framework without employing fluidelevation. The auxiliary hoist chamber may be employed as analternative, or in addition to, elevating objects by employing fluidelevation.

A second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, which maybe positioned either below ground or above ground, employs a dual cavitystructure within the internally disposed chamber framework, whichincludes a return chamber and delivery chamber. The dual cavitystructure includes a return chamber wherein transport containers may belowered within the chamber framework via wire rope hoist, pulley, orother such movement mechanisms, or may be lowered using negative fluidbuoyancy such that the containers sink in a fluid within the returnchamber. Transport containers may be loaded or unloaded while thetransport container remains within the return chamber, or by removingand replacing the transport container for loading or unloading.Transport containers are then guided to and placed within the deliverychamber for elevation within the chamber framework.

In third and fourth embodiments of the present invention, the hydraulicelevation apparatus is used in an incline lifting environment, which maybe either below ground or above ground. At least one shaft structure ispositioned at an incline either beneath or above the earth's surface.The chosen incline angle of the shaft structure may vary depending uponany number of relevant factors, such as the external environmental orsubsurface conditions existing at the site of lifting, the size, shapeand weight of objects being moved within the chamber framework, andother such factors that may influence the desired angle of an inclineangled shaft.

In a third embodiment, the chamber framework internally disposed withinthe inclined single shaft structure includes a dual cavity structure,which incorporates a cavity creating a return chamber, and a cavitycreating a delivery chamber positioned adjacent to the return chamber.The return chamber may optionally contain a ventilation channel toprovide a source of circulated air as the transport container descendswithin the return chamber. As previously described, a transport channeland an object storage bin may be operatively positioned in relation tothe lower section of the return chamber, and objects such as ore may befunneled from the storage bin through the transport channel and into thetransport container while the transport container remains within, or inclose communication with, the return chamber. Alternatively, thetransport container may be removed from the return chamber for loading,and subsequently replaced within the return chamber for furthertransport.

In an incline lifting scenario, the transport container may include aninternal partition, which maintains transported objects along the lowerlongitudinal portion of the transport container during transport, anddiminishes contact between the outside of the transport container andthe inside of the delivery chamber walls as the transport container andits contents are lifted within the delivery chamber. As previouslydescribed, once loaded, the transport container is guided into andsecured within the lower chamber section of the delivery chamber. Thefluid control valve is positioned between the lower chamber section andupper chamber section of the delivery chamber, and controls fluid entryinto the lower chamber section, which facilitates elevating thetransport container within the chamber framework.

In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the hydraulic elevationapparatus includes a tripartite cavity structure, which incorporates areturn chamber, delivery chamber, and an optional auxiliary hoistchamber as discussed above.

A dual, tripartite, or otherwise multiple chamber framework may beemployed in the embodiments described above.

In fifth and sixth embodiments of the invention, hydraulic lowering orreturning is used to return the containers that carried objects upwardin the delivery chamber for reloading. In a fifth embodiment of theinvention, the hydraulic elevation and lowering apparatus, which may beused vertically or at an inclination and which may be used above orbelow ground, includes a transport container containing animate orinanimate objects, or a liquid, and one transportation chamber fortransporting the transport container upward and downward in a fluidinternally disposed within the transportation chamber. In thisembodiment, the transportation chamber is used for both elevating thetransport container having objects, and lowering the empty or at leastpartially-filled transport container, using fluid buoyancy. Accordingly,a fluid is disposed within the transportation chamber which is employedfor flotation elevation and sinking lowering of the transport containerswithin the transportation chamber. The transportation chamber mayinclude a vertically disposed cavity.

Transport containers may include a moveable lid configured to seal thetransport container or may include a flotation device connected to anunsealed container. Further, transport containers may be loaded orunloaded as discussed above. A loader used for loading objects into thetransport containers may be operatively engaged with the transportationchamber and includes an object storage and a channel configured totransfer objects from the storage through the channel into the transportcontainer. The apparatus may further include a guiding device configuredto guide the transport container such that the guiding device ishorizontally disposed within a bottom portion of a conveyor in operativecommunication with the transportation chamber and the transportcontainer.

In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an auxiliary chamber laterallydisposed to the transportation chamber for transporting objects withinthe at least one shaft structure using wire rope hoisting or similarmethods. A fluid controller internally disposed within thetransportation chamber may be configured to engage the transportcontainer and control the amount of fluid in the transportation chamberto elevate and lower the transport container within the transportationchamber. The fluid controller may further include a lower chamberinternally disposed within the transportation chamber, and a valveconfigured to control the amount of the fluid in the lower chamber. Alocation device may be operatively connected with each of thetransportation containers to send, receive, or send and receive locationinformation of a transport container to one or more of other locationdevices (connected to other containers) and/or to a monitoring station.

In a sixth embodiment, the hydraulic apparatus includes a dual cavitystructure having a delivery chamber and a return chamber, both of whichare fluid-filled for transporting animate or inanimate objects containedin a transport container. The apparatus of this embodiment may be usedin a vertical or an inclined lifting environment, and may be used forabove or below ground operations. The delivery chamber may be used forelevating the transport containers by flotation in a internally disposedwithin the delivery chamber. The return chamber of the apparatus may beused for lowering or returning transport containers by sinking the emptyor at least partially-filled containers in a fluid (same or differentthan the fluid used in the delivery chamber) disposed within the returnchamber. The return chamber may further include a control gate toregulate the downward movement of the transport container within thereturn chamber.

The apparatus may further include a loader operatively engaged with thereturn chamber and comprises an object storage and a channel configuredto transfer objects from the storage through the channel into thetransport container. A guiding device may be configured to guide thetransport container, such that the guiding device is horizontallydisposed within a bottom portion of a conveyor in operativecommunication with the return chamber, the transport container, and thedelivery chamber. An auxiliary chamber laterally disposed to thedelivery chamber or the return chamber may be included in the apparatus,thereby making the apparatus a tripartite cavity structure.

A delivery device including a cavity laterally disposed to the returnchamber may be configured to receive the transport container from thereturn chamber and the delivery device may be further equipped tofacilitate elevation of the transport container into the deliverychamber. A fluid controller may be internally disposed within thedelivery chamber, the return chamber, or both, and may be configured tocontrol the amount of fluid in the chamber within which the fluidcontroller is disposed to elevate or lower the transport container. Thefluid controller may include a lower chamber internally disposed withinthe chamber within which the fluid controller is disposed, and a valveconfigured to control the amount of the fluid in the lower chamber.

Transport containers may include a moveable lid configured to seal thetransport container or may include a flotation device connected to anunsealed container. A location device may be operatively connected witheach of the transportation containers to send, receive, or send andreceive location information of a transport container to one or more ofother location devices (connected to other containers) and/or to amonitoring station.

The functional aspects of the present invention promote operational andcost efficiency in heavy lifting environments, including undergroundmining and above ground lifting scenarios. The apparatus and method ofthe present invention may be employed within an existing rehabilitatedor newly drilled single shaft structure. The apparatus and method of thepresent invention may be employed in multiple shaft structures toincrease operational capacity at any given site of operation.

In a seventh embodiment, the hydraulic apparatus includes a locationdevice to locate and track the position of a transport container, e.g.within a delivery, return or transportation chamber. The apparatus ofthis embodiment may include a transport container containing animate orinanimate objects, or a liquid; a transportation chamber fortransporting the transport container within the transportation chamber;and a location device releasably secured (or operatively connected) withthe transport container to send, receive, or send and receive locationinformation of the transport container to and from a monitoring station.The location information of the location device (and therefore, of thetransport container) may include longitudinal, latitudinal, orelevational position of the transport container within thetransportation chamber. The location device may further include areceiver, a processing device and a transmitter. The receiver receives alocation request message including an identification code from, e.g.,the monitoring station. The processing device may store an uniqueidentification code in a memory and determines a location of thelocation device using, e.g., a geographical position system (GPS)device. The processing device may further compare the receivedidentification code with the unique identification code, and if thereceived identification code matches the unique identification code, theprocessing device generates a location signal for transmission through atransmitter to the monitoring station directly, or indirectly through arelay. The location device may further include an emergency unit forgenerating an emergency signal for transmission to the monitoringstation upon detection of an emergency situation.

The present invention also includes methods of lifting objects byflotation employing the apparatus of the invention.

In one embodiment, a method of the present invention may be employed todeliver or remove objects either within or above the earth's surface. Aloaded, empty or collapsed transport container is deposited into thereturn chamber and descends within the return chamber into the lowerchamber section of the return chamber. Preferably, transport containersare lowered within the return chamber via a hoist, pulley, or other suchmechanism. The transport container may then be emptied or loaded byremoving the transport container from the return chamber for appropriatehandling. Alternatively, the transport container may be loaded withobjects such as ore by engaging the transport container with a transportchannel attached to an object storage bin as discussed above, andfunneling objects from the storage bin through the transport channel andinto the transport container, which is positioned within the returnchamber. The transport container is then sealed and guided laterallyfrom the return chamber to the delivery chamber by a guiding device,such as a ram, adjustable latch or other mechanical attachment device.

Once the transport container is guided into and secured within the lowerchamber section of the delivery chamber and the lower chamber hatch issealed, the fluid control valve is adjusted to permit fluid from theupper chamber section of the delivery chamber to flow into the lowerchamber section. As fluid enters the lower chamber section of thedelivery chamber, the transport container floats upward within thedelivery chamber. When the transport container floats up past the fluidcontrol valve, the fluid control valve is adjusted to stop water flowinto the lower chamber section. The transport container subsequentlyfloats to the top of the delivery chamber, and may be connected to apulley or similar shuttle tram to remove the transport container fromthe delivery chamber, and guide the transport container to a stockpileor other designated location for unloading. The transport container maythen be reintroduced into the return chamber for another cycle oftransport.

In another embodiment, a method of transporting objects or theircontainers includes transporting a transport container containinganimate or inanimate objects, or a liquid in a fluid internally disposedwithin one transportation chamber. In this embodiment, the transportcontainer is elevated by flotation and lowered by sinking in the fluidwithin the one transportation chamber employing fluid buoyancy.

In yet another embodiment, a method of transporting objects or theircontainers includes loading animate or inanimate objects, or a liquidinto a transport container, elevating the transport container byflotation in a first fluid internally disposed within a deliverychamber, and lowering the transport container by sinking in a secondfluid internally disposed within a return chamber. The first and secondfluids may be the same or different.

In this embodiment, the return chamber includes a control gate toregulate the downward movement of the transport container within thereturn chamber.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new andnovel hydraulic elevation apparatus, which may be employed preferablywithin at least one single shaft structure.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide acorresponding method that compliments the inventive hydraulic elevationapparatus.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatusand method as delineated herein, which are relatively easy to constructand employ, lend themselves to heavy lifting techniques andenvironments, and can be utilized with a relatively high degree ofefficiency and a relatively low degree of operational and functionalmaintenance.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatusand method as characterized above, which employ a multiple chamberframework to transport objects beneath or above the earth's surface, andfluid elevation to lift the objects within the multiple chamberframework.

Viewed from a first vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation comprising, in combination: atleast one single shaft structure; a transport container; and conveyingmeans internally disposed within said at least one single shaftstructure for conveying said transport container within said at leastone single shaft structure and elevating said transport container byflotation.

Viewed from a second vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation comprising, in combination: atleast one single shaft structure; a transport container; and conveyingmeans internally disposed within said at least one single shaftstructure for conveying said transport container within said at leastone single shaft structure and elevating said transport container byflotation, wherein said conveying means comprises a return means forintroducing said transport container into said at least one single shaftstructure, a loading means for loading objects into said transportcontainer, and a delivery means for elevating said transport containerby applying fluid to elevate said transport container within saiddelivery means.

Viewed from a third vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation comprising, in combination: atleast one single shaft structure; a transport container; and conveyingmeans internally disposed within said at least one single shaftstructure for conveying said transport container within said at leastone single shaft structure and elevating said transport container byflotation, wherein said conveying means comprises a return means forintroducing said transport container into said at least one single shaftstructure, a loading means for loading objects into said transportcontainer, and a delivery means for elevating said transport containerby applying fluid to elevate said transport container within saiddelivery means wherein said return means comprises a vertically disposedcavity within said at least one single shaft structure through whichsaid transport container descends in order to deliver or retrieveobjects.

Viewed from a fourth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation comprising, in combination: atleast one single shaft structure; a transport container; and conveyingmeans internally disposed within said at least one single shaftstructure for conveying said transport container within said at leastone single shaft structure and elevating said transport container byflotation, wherein said conveying means comprises a return means forintroducing said transport container into said at least one single shaftstructure, a loading means for loading objects into said transportcontainer, and a delivery means for elevating said transport containerby applying fluid to elevate said transport container within saiddelivery means, wherein said loading means is operatively engaged withsaid return means and comprises an object storage means and channelmeans in operative communication with said return means such thatobjects are transferred from said storage means through said channelmeans into said transport container.

Viewed from a fifth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation comprising, in combination: atleast one single shaft structure; a transport container; and conveyingmeans internally disposed within said at least one single shaftstructure for conveying said transport container within said at leastone single shaft structure and elevating said transport container byflotation, wherein said conveying means comprises a return means forintroducing said transport container into said at least one single shaftstructure, a loading means for loading objects into said transportcontainer, and a delivery means for elevating said transport containerby applying fluid to elevate said transport container within saiddelivery means, wherein said delivery means comprises a cavity meanslaterally disposed to said return means within said at least one singleshaft structure, and wherein said delivery means receives said transportcontainer from said return means and wherein said delivery means isequipped to facilitate elevation of said transport container byflotation within said delivery means.

Viewed from a sixth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation comprising, in combination: atleast one single shaft structure; a transport container; and conveyingmeans internally disposed within said at least one single shaftstructure for conveying said transport container within said at leastone single shaft structure and elevating said transport container byflotation, wherein said conveying means comprises a return means forintroducing said transport container into said at least one single shaftstructure, a loading means for loading objects into said transportcontainer, and a delivery means for elevating said transport containerby applying fluid to elevate said transport container within saiddelivery means, wherein said delivery means comprises a cavity meanslaterally disposed to said return mean within said at least one singleshaft structure, and wherein said delivery means receives said transportcontainer from said return means and wherein said delivery means isequipped to facilitate elevation of said transport container byflotation within said delivery means, wherein said delivery meansfurther comprises a fluid control means for controlling the amount offluid engaging said transport container in order to elevate saidtransport container within said delivery means of said at least onesingle shaft structure.

Viewed from a seventh vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation comprising, in combination: atleast one single shaft structure; a transport container; and conveyingmeans internally disposed within said at least one single shaftstructure for conveying said transport container within said at leastone single shaft structure and elevating said transport container byflotation, wherein said conveying means comprises a return means forintroducing said transport container into said at least one single shaftstructure, a loading means for loading objects into said transportcontainer, and a delivery means for elevating said transport containerby applying fluid to elevate said transport container within saiddelivery means, wherein said transport container comprises a moveablelid means to allow for loading or unloading said transport container,and for sealing said transport container.

Viewed from an eighth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation comprising, in combination: asingle shaft structure; a transport container; a conveying meansinternally disposed within said single shaft structure for conveyingsaid transport container within said single shaft structure; and fluidcontrol means internally disposed within said conveying means forcontrolling the volume of fluid within said single shaft structure toelevate objects contained in said transport container.

Viewed from a ninth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation comprising, in combination: asingle shaft structure; a transport container; a conveying meansinternally disposed within said single shaft structure for conveyingsaid transport container within said single shaft structure; and fluidcontrol means internally disposed within said conveying means forcontrolling the volume of fluid within said single shaft structure toelevate objects contained in said transport container, wherein saidconveying means comprises a return chamber means for introducing saidtransport container within said single shaft structure, a loading meansfor loading objects into said transport container, a guiding means forguiding said transport container within said conveying means, and adelivery chamber means for elevating said transport container, andwherein said fluid control means is operatively attached to saiddelivery chamber means.

Viewed from a tenth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation comprising, in combination: asingle shaft structure; a transport container; a conveying meansinternally disposed within said single shaft structure for conveyingsaid transport container within said single shaft structure; and fluidcontrol means internally disposed within said conveying means forcontrolling the volume of fluid within said single shaft structure toelevate objects contained in said transport container, wherein saidconveying means comprises a return chamber means for introducing saidtransport container within said single shaft structure, a loading meansfor loading objects into said transport container, a guiding means forguiding said transport container within said conveying means, and adelivery chamber means for elevating said transport container, andwherein said fluid control means is operatively attached to saiddelivery chamber means, wherein said guiding means is horizontallydisposed within a bottom portion of said conveying means in operativecommunication with said return chamber means, said transport container,and said deliver chamber means, and whereby said guiding meansoperatively attaches to said transport container and laterally movessaid transport container into operative communication with said deliverychamber means.

Viewed from an eleventh vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation comprising, in combination: asingle shaft structure; a transport container; a conveying meansinternally disposed within said single shaft structure for conveyingsaid transport container within said single shaft structure; and fluidcontrol means internally disposed within said conveying means forcontrolling the volume of fluid within said single shaft structure toelevate objects contained in said transport container, wherein saidconveying means comprises a return chamber means for introducing saidtransport container within said single shaft structure, a loading meansfor loading objects into said transport container, a guiding means forguiding said transport container within said conveying means, and adelivery chamber means for elevating said transport container, andwherein said fluid control means is operatively attached to saiddelivery chamber means, wherein said fluid control means comprises alower chamber section means internally disposed within said deliverychamber means for engaging said transport container prior to elevationof said transport container, and valve means for controlling the amountof fluid that enters into said lower chamber means to contact saidtransport container and elevate said transport container within saiddelivery chamber.

Viewed from a twelfth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation comprising, in combination: atleast one single shaft structure; a chamber framework internallydisposed within said at least one single shaft structure; a fluidcontrol means internally disposed within said chamber framework; and atransport container.

Viewed from a thirteenth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation comprising, in combination: atleast one single shaft structure; a chamber framework internallydisposed within said at least one single shaft structure; a fluidcontrol means internally disposed within said chamber framework; and atransport container, wherein said chamber framework comprises a returnchamber for introducing said transport container within said singleshaft structure, and a laterally disposed delivery chamber for elevatingsaid transport container from within said single shaft structure.

Viewed from a fourteenth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation comprising, in combination: atleast one single shaft structure; a chamber framework internallydisposed within said at least one single shaft structure; a fluidcontrol means internally disposed within said chamber framework; and atransport container, wherein said chamber framework comprises a returnchamber for introducing said transport container within said singleshaft structure, and a laterally disposed delivery chamber for elevatingsaid transport container from within said single shaft structure,wherein said return chamber comprises controlling means for adjustingthe speed at which said transport container descends within said returnchamber, wherein said return chamber is operatively engaged with meansfor introducing objects into said transport container while saidtransport container is within said return chamber, and wherein saidreturn chamber is operatively engaged with means for guiding saidtransport container into operative contact with said delivery chamber.

Viewed from a fifteenth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation comprising, in combination: atleast one single shaft structure; a chamber framework internallydisposed within said at least one single shaft structure; a fluidcontrol means internally disposed within said chamber framework; and atransport container, wherein said chamber framework comprises a returnchamber for introducing said transport container within said singleshaft structure, and a laterally disposed delivery chamber for elevatingsaid transport container from within said single shaft structure,wherein said return chamber comprises controlling means for adjustingthe speed at which said transport container descends within said returnchamber, wherein said return chamber is operatively engaged with meansfor introducing objects into said transport container while saidtransport container is within said return chamber, and wherein saidreturn chamber is operatively engaged with means for guiding saidtransport container into operative contact with said delivery chamber,wherein said delivery chamber comprises means for securely engaging saidtransport container after said transport container is guided intooperative communication with said delivery chamber, and means forcontrolling the amount of fluid engaging said transport container withinsaid delivery chamber to achieve sufficient buoyancy to float saidtransport container upward within said delivery chamber.

Viewed from a sixteenth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation comprising, in combination: atleast one single shaft structure; a chamber framework internallydisposed within said at least one single shaft structure; a fluidcontrol means internally disposed within said chamber framework; and atransport container, wherein said chamber framework comprises a returnchamber for introducing said transport container within said singleshaft structure, and a laterally disposed delivery chamber for elevatingsaid transport container from within said single shaft structure,further comprising an auxiliary chamber means laterally disposed to saiddelivery chamber or said return chamber for transporting objects withinsaid at least one single shaft structure by hoisting.

Viewed from a seventeenth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation comprising, in combination: asingle shaft structure; a chamber framework internally disposed withinsaid single shaft structure comprising a return chamber, a laterallydisposed delivery chamber and an auxiliary chamber laterally positionedto said delivery chamber; a transport container; an object storage binconnected to an object transport channel in operative communication withsaid return chamber, whereby objects are transferred from said storagebin through said transport channel into said transport container whilesaid transport container is positioned within said return chamber; and afluid control valve in operative communication with said deliverychamber to control the amount of fluid that engages said transportcontainer to elevate said transport container within said deliverychamber.

Viewed from an eighteenth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a method of transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation, the steps including: (A)depositing a transport container within a return chamber internallydisposed within a single shaft structure; (B) loading or unloading saidtransport container; (C) guiding said transport container into adelivery chamber internally disposed within said single shaft structure;and (D) introducing fluid into a lower chamber section of said deliverychamber to elevate said transport container within said deliverychamber.

Viewed from a nineteenth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a method of transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation, the steps including: (A)depositing a transport container within a return chamber internallydisposed within a single shaft structure; (B) loading or unloading saidtransport container; (C) guiding said transport container into adelivery chamber internally disposed within said single shaft structure;and (D) introducing fluid into a lower chamber section of said deliverychamber to elevate said transport container within said deliverychamber, also including in step (B) loading said transport containerwithin said return chamber by transferring objects from an externallydisposed object container through a transport channel into saidtransport container.

Viewed from a twentieth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a method of transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation, the steps including: (A)depositing a transport container within a return chamber internallydisposed within a single shaft structure; (B) loading or unloading saidtransport container; (C) guiding said transport container into adelivery chamber internally disposed within said single shaft structure;and (D) introducing fluid into a lower chamber section of said deliverychamber to elevate said transport container within said deliverychamber, also including in step (B) removing said transport containerfrom within said return chamber, loading or unloading said transportcontainer, and replacing said transport container into said returnchamber.

Viewed from a twenty-first vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a method of transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation, the steps including: (A)depositing a transport container within a return chamber internallydisposed within a single shaft structure; (B) loading or unloading saidtransport container; (C) guiding said transport container into adelivery chamber internally disposed within said single shaft structure;and (D) introducing fluid into a lower chamber section of said deliverychamber to elevate said transport container within said deliverychamber, also including in step (C) operatively connecting saidtransport container to a laterally mobile conveyor and directing saidconveyor to move said transport container into operative communicationwith said delivery chamber.

Viewed from a twenty-second vantage point, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide a method of transporting animate orinanimate objects employing flotation elevation, the steps including:(A) depositing a transport container within a return chamber internallydisposed within a single shaft structure; (B) loading or unloading saidtransport container; (C) guiding said transport container into adelivery chamber internally disposed within said single shaft structure;and (D) introducing fluid into a lower chamber section of said deliverychamber to elevate said transport container within said deliverychamber, also including in step (D) adjusting a valve operativelyconnected to said delivery chamber to introduce fluid into said lowerchamber section of said delivery chamber in a sufficient amount toelevate said transport container above said valve, and adjusting saidvalve to terminate fluid flow into said lower chamber section of saiddelivery chamber after said transport container floats above said valve.

Viewed from a twenty-third vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a method for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation, the steps including: (A)depositing a transport container into a first chamber of a multiplechamber framework internally disposed within at least one single shaftstructure; (B) loading or unloading said transport container; and (C)introducing said transport container into a second chamber of saidmultiple chamber framework to elevate said transport container byflotation within said second chamber.

Viewed from a twenty-fourth vantage point, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide a method for transporting animate orinanimate objects employing flotation elevation, the steps including:(A) depositing a transport container into a first chamber of a multiplechamber framework internally disposed within at least one single shaftstructure; (B) loading or unloading said transport container; and (C)introducing said transport container into a second chamber of saidmultiple chamber framework to elevate said transport container byflotation within said second chamber, wherein the step of depositingsaid transport container into said first chamber further includescontrolling the speed at which said transport container descends withinsaid first chamber.

Viewed from a twenty-fifth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a method for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation, the steps including: (A)depositing a transport container into a first chamber of a multiplechamber framework internally disposed within at least one single shaftstructure; (B) loading or unloading said transport container; and (C)introducing said transport container into a second chamber of saidmultiple chamber framework to elevate said transport container byflotation within said second chamber, wherein the step of loading saidtransport container further includes introducing objects into saidtransport container while said transport container remains within saidfirst chamber.

Viewed from a twenty-sixth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a method for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation, the steps including: (A)depositing a transport container into a first chamber of a multiplechamber framework internally disposed within at least one single shaftstructure; (B) loading or unloading said transport container; and (C)introducing said transport container into a second chamber of saidmultiple chamber framework to elevate said transport container byflotation within said second chamber, wherein the step of introducingsaid transport container into said second chamber further includesadjusting the amount of fluid within said second chamber to facilitatefloatation.

Viewed from a twenty-seventh, it is an object of the present inventionto provide a method for transporting animate or inanimate objectsemploying flotation elevation, the steps including: (A) depositing atransport container into a first chamber of a multiple chamber frameworkinternally disposed within at least one single shaft structure; (B)loading or unloading said transport container; and (C) introducing saidtransport container into a second chamber of said multiple chamberframework to elevate said transport container by flotation within saidsecond chamber, wherein the step of loading or unloading said transportcontainer further includes removing said transport container from saidfirst chamber, loading or unloading objects, and replacing saidtransport container into said first chamber for further transport.

Viewed from a twenty-eighth vantage point, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide a method for transporting animate orinanimate objects employing flotation elevation, the steps including:(A) depositing a transport container into a multiple chamber frameworkinternally disposed within at least one single shaft structure; (B)loading or unloading said transport container; and (C) elevating saidtransport container upward within said multiple chamber framework.

Viewed from a twenty-ninth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a method for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation, the steps including: (A)depositing a transport container into a multiple chamber frameworkinternally disposed within at least one single shaft structure; (B)loading or unloading said transport container; and (C) elevating saidtransport container upward within said multiple chamber framework,wherein the step of elevating said transport container within saidmultiple chamber framework further includes employing fluid elevation toelevate said transport container within said multiple chamber framework.

Viewed from a thirtieth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a method for transporting animate or inanimateobjects employing flotation elevation, the steps including: (A)depositing a transport container into a multiple chamber frameworkinternally disposed within at least one single shaft structure; (B)loading or unloading said transport container; and (C) elevating saidtransport container upward within said multiple chamber framework,wherein the step of elevating said transport container within saidmultiple chamber framework further includes employing a hoisting deviceto elevate said transport container within said multiple chamberframework.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the present invention showing amultiple chamber single shaft structure including a tripartite cavitystructure with an auxiliary hoist chamber.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the present invention showing amultiple chamber shaft structure including a dual cavity structure.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a transport container of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 a depicts a side view of a hatch and seal of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a transport container of thepresent invention in a collapsible form.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the present invention showing amultiple chamber single shaft structure including a dual cavitystructure.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the present invention showing amultiple chamber single shaft structure including a dual cavitystructure.

FIG. 7 depicts lateral movement of a transport container for loading orunloading according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts displacement of a transport container for loading orunloading according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 depicts placement of a transport container into a deliverychamber for flotation according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 a depicts a chamber lock according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 depicts a front full cross section of a delivery chamber of thepresent invention showing a valve in a closed position, water in a upperchamber section, and a transport container in a lower chamber sectionaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 11 depicts a front full cross section of a delivery chamber of thepresent invention showing a valve in an opened position, water in alower chamber section, and a transport container floating upward above avalve according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 depicts a front full cross section of a delivery chamber of thepresent invention showing a valve in a closed position, water in a lowerchamber section, and a transport container at the top of the deliverychamber according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 depicts a side full cross section of a delivery chamber of thepresent invention showing a valve in a closed position and water beingtransferred to an upper chamber section according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 depicts a side view of an incline elevation of the presentinvention showing a multiple chamber single shaft structure including adual cavity structure.

FIG. 14 a depicts a cross-section of the present invention showing adiesel truck at the lower right.

FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view of multiple transport containers anda hoist of the present invention for lowering transport containerswithin a chamber.

FIG. 16 depicts a perspective view of the present invention in an aboveground vertical environment.

FIG. 17 depicts a side view of the present invention in an angled aboveground orientation employing a haulage vehicle to transport containerswithin a chamber.

FIG. 18 depicts a front view of the present invention showing a singlecavity structure including a fluid-filled transportation chamber.

FIG. 18 a depicts a system to obtain location information of a transportcontainer using a location device attached therewith.

FIG. 18 b depicts a schematic block diagram of a location device.

FIG. 19 depicts a front view of the present invention showing a dualcavity structure including a fluid-filled delivery chamber and afluid-filled return chamber with respective lower chamber sections.

FIG. 19 a depicts the dual cavity structure of FIG. 19 including a largechamber and a single lower chamber section.

FIG. 19 b depicts the dual cavity structure of FIG. 19 including asingle lower chamber section for both the delivery and return chambers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Elevation apparatus (10) of the present invention employs fluid toelevate animate or inanimate objects from beneath the earth's surface orto a point above the earth's surface within preferably at least onesingle shaft elevation structure (20), which may be positioned downwardinto the earth's interior, or positioned above the earth's surface.Shaft elevation structure (20) incorporates an internally disposedchamber framework (30) by which objects are transported within shaftelevation structure (20). Shaft elevation structure (20) is typically asingle shaft structure, but may consist of multiple shaft structuresincorporating chamber framework (30). Chamber framework (30) may beconstructed within shaft elevation structure (20) by various shaftrehabilitation techniques, and may be incorporated into existing shaftstructures. Chamber framework (30) may alternatively be constructedwithin newly drilled shaft structures.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict preferred embodiments of elevation apparatus (10)in a vertical lifting orientation. FIG. 1 shows elevation apparatus (10)employing a chamber framework (30) comprising a tripartite cavitystructure (32) positioned within shaft elevation structure (20).Tripartite cavity structure (32) of chamber framework (30) includes areturn chamber (40), a transport container (50), a delivery chamber(60), and an auxiliary hoist chamber (70). Auxiliary hoist chamber (70)may be optionally positioned laterally and adjacent to delivery chamber(60). A surface hoist (72) comprising a pulley mechanism (74) and anoperatively attached transport container (76) is employed withinauxiliary hoist chamber (70) as an optional lifting mechanism totransport objects within chamber framework (30).

FIG. 2 shows elevation apparatus (10) employing a chamber framework (30)comprising a dual cavity structure (34) positioned within shaftelevation structure (20). Dual cavity structure (34) of chamberframework (30) includes a return chamber (40), a transport container(50), and a delivery chamber (60). As depicted in FIG. 2, transportcontainer (50) may be lowered within return chamber (40) via a hoist,pulley, or similar such mechanism, or as will be described later,transport container (50) may be hydraulically lowered by sinking in afluid disposed within return chamber (40). Return chamber (40) includesa lower section (42), operatively positioned in relation to a transportchannel (44). The outwardly extended top portion of transport channel(44) is connected to bin (46), which stores material to be elevatedwithin chamber framework (30). Transport channel (44) is operativelypositioned to engage transport container (50), which travels withinreturn chamber (40) and delivery chamber (60) as described below.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, transport container (50) is constructed with atop end hatch (52) and a bottom end hatch (not shown). Transportcontainer (50) may be rectangular or cylindrical in shape, constructedin a collapsible form (FIG. 4), or otherwise suitably fitted tofacilitate vertical or horizontal movement within chamber framework(30). Transport container (50) may be constructed from an array ofdurable materials conducive to airtight sealing and elevation byflotation, including plastic, synthetic polymers, polymer blends and thelike, and metals, all characterized by imperviousness to rugged use andinert both to the materials being transported and its environs.Transport container (50) may include reinforcing ribs (51) interiorlyand/or exteriorly disposed. Where transport container (50) is configuredto be flexible, it is contemplated to compress parallel to its long axisbut may compress transverse thereto. Durable elastomers, preferablyreinforced with fiber characterized by resistance to chafe anddistention include, by way of example, but not limitation: kevlar, borongraphite, fiberglass coated with rubber, neoprene, hypalon, and pvc.

FIG. 3 a shows a sealable hatch which may be employed in conjunctionwith transport container (50). The top end hatch (52) and bottom endhatch (not shown) are constructed to open and close in order to modulatethe contents of transport container (50) during use. As depicted ifFIGS. 1 and 2, when top end hatch (52) is in an opened position,transport channel (44) operatively engages transport container (50) andfunnels objects from bin (46) into transport container (50). As depictedin FIG. 3 a, when top end hatch (52) is closed, seal (53) peripherallycircumscribes the interface of top end hatch (52) and transportcontainer (50) promulgates buoyancy. Seal (53) can be disposed on eitherinterface surface of top end hatch (52) or transport container (50). Insome instances, more than one seal is desired as a function of thepressure differential in and out of transport container (50).

In one embodiment, instead of sealed transport containers as discussedabove, transport container (50) include a flotation device connected toan unsealed container. The unsealed container may contain materials orobjects in a bucket, cage, wire mesh, or tied to a container. Theunsealed materials in such transport container (50) may or may not beadversely affected by fluid pressure generated due to release of fluidin delivery chamber (60). The use of an unsealed container in transportcontainer (50) for mineral processing may provide helpful implosivecrushing of rocks with high fluid pressure in the lower part of deliverychamber (60), and helpful micro-explosive breaking of rocks with adecrease of fluid-pressure in the upper part of delivery chamber (60),when the objects are elevated. The crushing pressure on the objectsdecreases as the objects are elevated (by flotation) in delivery chamber(60), and the pressure is minimum at the surface co-planar with the topend of delivery chamber (60).

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, return chamber (40) may be operativelyengaged with a conveyor mechanism, by which transport container (50) isremoved from return chamber (40), loaded with objects, and placed withindelivery chamber (60) for further transport. More specifically,transport channel (44) funnels material to an open transport container(50) while lower shuttle tram (81) cycles between return chamber (40)and delivery chamber (60), alternatively transporting and retrievingconsecutive transport containers (50). A second upper shuttle tram (84)may be positioned at a higher elevation for dispensing the contents oftransport container (50) onto a conveyor (82).

As depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, it is preferred that a tine (83) engagewithin at least one inverted U-shaped handle operatively coupled totransport container (50) to facilitate movement of transport container(50).

FIG. 8 reflects that tine (83) preferably engages a pair of U-shapedhandles (49) diametrically disposed in alignment on a transportcontainer (50) extremity. Transport container (50) is skewered by tine(83) when lower shuttle tram (81) or upper shuttle tram (84) advances indiametric alignment to handles (49). Each shuttle tram has at least one(and preferably two) tine support posts (85) supporting tine (83) via aninterconnecting cross piece (87). Tine support posts (85) areconstrained within slots (91) and reciprocate to selectively engagehandles (49) via tine (83). In this manner, transport containers (50)can be cycled.

As depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, lower shuttle tram (81) moves transportcontainer (50) from station (45) operatively situated in conjunctionwith transport channel (44) into position for placement into deliverychamber (60). As depicted in FIG. 7, return chamber (40) may beconstructed with an opening portion (63) to release transport container(50), and delivery chamber (60) may be constructed with an openingportion (63 a) to receive transport container (50). Opening portions(63) and (63 a) may be contoured to envelop transport container (50).

FIG. 9 reflects an alternative technique for delivering transportcontainer (50) to address delivery chamber (60). A belt type conveyor(67) supports each transport container (50) via an interposed extensibleram (67 a), which emanates from a housing (67 b) supported by, andpreferably integrated with, conveyor (67). Transport container (50) isguided into delivery chamber (60) by conveyor (67) and ram (67 a) or asimilar device for vertically elevating and positioning transportcontainer (50) within delivery chamber (60). Ram (67 a) may comprisejacks, screws or hydraulic means to move transport container (50) intodelivery chamber (60).

Prior to flotation within delivery chamber (60), transport container(50) may be secured within lower chamber section (62) of deliverychamber (60) by a locking mechanism (not shown). Once transportcontainer (50) floats to the surface through delivery chamber (60), alocking device such as that depicted in FIG. 9 a) may be employed tostabilize transport container (50) for removal by upper shuttle tram(84).

As shown in FIGS. 10-13, delivery chamber (60) is constructed with alower chamber section (62), an upper chamber section (64), and a fluidcontrol valve (66). Lower chamber section (62) may be constructed with alower chamber hatch (68), which alternatively seals or unseals lowerchamber section (62) to control ingress into, and egress from, deliverychamber (60) during operation as more fully explained below. Upperchamber section (64) is constructed with an upper chamber hatch (notshown), which in its closed position seals upper chamber section (64)during the flotation process, and in its opened position permitstransport container (50) to exit delivery chamber (60) as more fully setforth below.

As also shown in FIGS. 10-13, fluid control valve (66) is operativelysituated within and internally connected to delivery chamber (60),between lower chamber section (62) and upper chamber section (64). Fluidcontrol valve (66) may be constructed from an array of materials, suchas plastic, any suitable metal, composite, ceramic or reinforced resinsynthetic, keeping in mind durability and an unobstructed throughpassage during use. Fluid control valve (66) controls fluid flow withindelivery chamber (60), and is depicted as a ball valve having a turningstem operatively coupled to a pulley, which is rotationally driven via amotor and belt extending between the pulley and a complemental sheave onthe motor. A variety of valve types may be employed in the presentinvention, such as gate valves and the like, so long as the valvestructure does not improperly obstruct fluid or transport container flowthrough delivery chamber (60).

FIG. 14 shows an alternative embodiment of elevation apparatus (10) ofthe present invention in an incline lifting orientation. Shaft elevationstructure (20) is situated in a sloped orientation to facilitatetransporting objects at an angle within chamber framework (30) on agraded incline, as opposed to in a vertical orientation. Chamberframework (30) includes a dual cavity structure (34) including returnchamber (40 a), delivery chamber (60), and transport container (50 a) inoperative communication with chamber framework (30). Return chamber (40a) includes a lower section (42) constructed and disposed to facilitateoperative communication of transport container (50 a) with transportchannel (44) and bin (46), and additionally includes a laterallydisposed ventilation channel (41), to permit air circulation withinreturn chamber (40 a) simultaneously with movement of transportcontainer (50 a) within return chamber (40 a). In an alternativeembodiment of the present invention (not shown), transport container (50a) may be loaded with material via transport channel (44) and bin (46)while transport container (50 a) remains within return chamber (40 a).

Transport container (50 a) includes an internally disposed partition(56) to maintain transported materials or objects along the lowerlongitudinal portion of transport container (50 a), and thereby diminishcontact between the outer surface of transport container (50 a) and theinner surface wall of delivery chamber (60) during elevation oftransport container (50 a) within delivery chamber (60).

In a fourth embodiment, the elevation apparatus (10) is as describedwith respect to the third embodiment, but includes the tripartite cavitystructure described above.

FIG. 15 depicts a preferred mechanism that may be employed in thepresent invention to lower transport containers (50) within deliverychamber (40). Multiple collapsed transport containers (50) are shown ina bucket, skip or other such container. Multiple transport containers(50) may be lowered within return chamber (40) simultaneously, ortransport containers (50) may be lowered within return chamber (40)individually.

FIGS. 16 and 17 depict alternative embodiments of the present invention,wherein elevation apparatus (10) of the present invention may beemployed above ground in a vertical orientation (FIG. 16) or an angledorientation (FIG. 17). Elevation apparatus (10) may be positioned aboveground, such as over a mountain pass or other such environmentalelevation, to facilitate lifting objects over or beyond suchenvironmental elevations. For instance, transport container (50) may beelevated within chamber framework (30) from a valley floor, above thesurface of the ground, to a pass in a mountain range. Under suchcircumstances, often an elevated fluid source (e.g. water) exists on theflanks of the pass where water can be applied to replace the smallamount of water released when transport container (50) is introduced onthe valley floor. Preferably, at the lower end of elevation apparatus(10) in an above ground environment, pumping excess or standing fluidmay not be necessary since such fluid may be released into a naturaldrainage location.

In a similar fashion, elevation apparatus (10) may be employed aboveground along a vertical cliff or the side of a building or otherstanding structure to transport objects above ground within elevationapparatus (10). The structural and operational components for elevationapparatus (10) situated above ground, as opposed to beneath the earth'ssurface, are substantially similar to the components described above indetail in conjunction with the previous embodiments. However, asdepicted in FIGS. 16 and 17, the journey of transport container (50)begins above ground and ends above ground.

FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of elevation apparatus (10) of the presentinvention including a fluid-filled single cavity structure for liftingoperation. The structural and operational components for elevationapparatus (10) in this single cavity structure embodiment (as opposed todual and tripartite cavity structures) are substantially similar to thecomponents described above in detail in conjunction with the previousembodiments, and therefore are referred to by the same referencenumerals as discussed above. As shown, shaft elevation structure (20) issituated in vertical orientation to move transport containers (50)having animate or inanimate objects from the lower end of transportationchamber (90) to the upper end of transportation chamber (90), and movetransport container (50) back to the lower end of transportation chamber(90) for reloading. Shaft elevation structure (20) may also be arrangedin a sloped or inclined orientation to facilitate transporting objectsat an angle within chamber framework (30) on a graded incline, asopposed to in a vertical orientation. Chamber framework (30) includes asingle cavity structure including transportation chamber (90) andtransport container (50) in operative communication with chamberframework (30). Transportation chamber (90) may be configured such that,in operation, it is substantially similar to delivery chamber (60) andreturn chamber (40) combined (as described in detail below), whichresults in flotation elevation of transport container (50) as indelivery chamber (60) of the previous embodiments. Additionally, incontrast to the previous embodiments, transportation chamber (90)facilitates lowering or returning of transport containers (50) in afluid disposed within transportation chamber (90) by sinking thecontainers at a moderate speed, instead of using hoist, wire pulley, orother similar mechanisms. Therefore, by using fluid buoyancy for bothelevating and lowering transporting containers (50) in elevationapparatus (10), the dangers and high maintenance costs required fortraditional wire ropes hoisting systems may be eliminated.

Structurally, transportation chamber (90) may be substantially similarto delivery chamber (60) and therefore may include a lower chambersection (62), an upper chamber section (64) and fluid control valve(66). Transportation chamber (90) (and in particular, lower section 62)may be constructed to facilitate operative communication of transportcontainer (50) with transport channel (44) and bin (46) (not shown) toload material while transport container (50) remains within lowerchamber (62) of transportation chamber (90). In an alternativeembodiment, transport container (50) may be filled by gravity from anore chute (not shown) while transport container (50) still is intransportation chamber (90). At the upper end of the transportationchamber (90), transport container (50) may be unloaded as described forprevious embodiments. Alternatively, for unloading, transportationcontainer (50) is locked into position by a control system, the fluid inthe transportation chamber is lowered slightly to the level of the lowermaterial in transport container (50), and the material is unloadedthrough a chute through portals in transport container (50) and upperchamber (64) (also not shown). To facilitate elevation of the heavymaterials in the loaded transport container (50) to ride higher in thefluid within transportation chamber (90), container (50) may be loadedsuch that at least part of the material being transported is higher thana lower unfilled buoyant part of transport container (50).

In this embodiment, a location device (92) is releasably secured andoperatively connected with the transportation container (50) to send,receive, or send and receive location or position information oftransport container (50) travelling within transportation chamber (90)to monitoring station (94) including a similar location device (92 m),or to one or more of other location devices (92 u, 92 l) operativelyconnected to other sections of transportation chamber (90) or transportcontainer (50). Location devices (92) may be configured to function aslocation or position tracking systems, which are capable of wirelesslytransmitting and receiving location information to and from a monitoringstation or other similar location devices. Each location device (92) maystore an identification code unique to that location device (92), andgenerates a position or location signal to be transmitted to monitoringstation (94) to inform about its location (and therefore, inform aboutthe location of the transport container (50) with which it is attached).

FIG. 18 a depicts a system to obtain location information from locationdevice (92) connected with a transport container (50) travelling withina transportation chamber (90). In the system shown in FIG. 18 a, anoperator may configure monitoring station (94) to send messages(periodically or at command of the operator) including uniqueidentification codes to one or more of the plurality of location devices(92) requesting their respective location information to keep track oftransport containers (50) in the transportation chamber (90). Themessages may be sent directly from monitoring station (94) to locationdevice (92) as shown in link (150), or indirectly through a relay (155)using links (160) and relay (155) further transmits messages to locationdevice (92) through link (165). Based on the distance between monitoringdevice (94) and location device (92), monitoring device (94) may utilizea satellite (170) to transmit messages to location device (92) usinglink (175). Satellite (170) further transmits messages received frommonitoring device (94) to relay (155) using link (180) for eventualtransmission to location device (92) using link (165). Upon receipt ofthe messages, each location device (92) compares the identification code(in the message) with its stored identification code. If location device(92) matches its stored identification code with the receivedidentification code, location device (92) generates and transmits alocation or position signal to monitoring station (94) via wirelesstransmission channels (e.g., using cellular communication technology).Location device may transmit location signal directly to monitoringstation (94) using existing link (150), or indirectly through relay(155) (using links (165) and (160)) or through relay (155) and satellite(170) (using links (165), (180) and (175)). The operator of themonitoring station (94) may be physically located at monitoring station(94) or may be able to operate monitoring station (94) remotely, e.g.,through an Internet connection. Each location device (92) may also ableto generate a distress signal for transmission to the monitoring station(94) upon detection of an emergency situation, e.g., mine flooding, orautomatically upon breaking of the circuit of location device (92).

FIG. 18 b depicts a schematic block diagram of location device (92). Asshown in FIG. 18 b, location device (92) includes a microprocessor/logicdevice (202). The microprocessor/logic device (202) is connected toreceive operating power from a power supply (204). The power supply(204) may be any type of battery which is small enough to fit within theinterior of the location device (92) or may even be a solar poweredbattery for powering the logic device (202). Also connected to themicroprocessor/logic device (202) is a memory unit (206) for storing anidentification number unique to each location device (94) and storingdistress signal information; a programmable EPROM (208) for storing theoperating software for the microprocessor/logic device (202) and aGlobal Positioning Satellite (GPS) logic circuit (210) for use incalculating the longitudinal, latitudinal and elevational position ofthe location device (92) for transmission to the microprocessor/logicdevice (202) and ultimate transmission to the monitoring station (94).An input port connector (212) is connected to the microprocessor/logicdevice (202) for use in inputting the identification information forstorage in the memory (206). A transmitter (214) is connected to themicroprocessor/logic device (202) for transmission of the identificationinformation, GPS information and distress signals to the monitoringstation (94) or relay (155). Transmitter (214) may be a cellulartransmitter for transmitting information and signals using existingcellular technology to transmit location information to monitoringstation (94) or relay (155). A receiver (216), e.g., a cellularreceiver, connected to device (202) allows location device (92) toreceive the wireless signals transmitted by the monitoring station (94)in the same manner as a cellular phone or pager, and thus allows anoperator to request information about the location of location device(92) by initiating a cellular communication. A power level sensor (218)is connected between the power supply (204) and the microprocessor (202)for sensing the power level of the power supply and providing the sensedpower level to the microprocessor (202). The microprocessor (202)generates a power level signal to be transmitted with the signalincluding location information transmitted by the transmitter (214). Anemergency unit (slide switch) (220) is also connected to initiatetransmission of the distress signal when activated, e.g., in emergencysituations, or when location device (92) becomes unexpectedly detachedfrom transport container (50).

Location device (92) may be made of a cut or temper resistant materialso that it is difficult to remove without the proper unlockingmechanism. Preferred materials for use in manufacturing the locationdevice (92) are high tensile strength plastic fiber and stainless steelwhich will prevent damage to location device (92) when travelling intransportation chamber (90) while attached to transport container (50).

In another embodiment, elevation apparatus (10) is as described withrespect to the above embodiment including transportation chamber (90),but further includes an auxiliary hoist chamber (70) as described above,thereby making elevation apparatus a dual cavity structure. In yetanother embodiment, elevation apparatus (10) including a singletransportation chamber (90) may be used in above-ground operations in avertical orientation (as discussed and shown in FIG. 16) or in aninclined orientation (as discussed and shown in FIG. 17).

FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of elevation apparatus (10) of the presentinvention including a dual cavity structure (34) positioned within shaftelevation structure (30). The structural and operational components forelevation apparatus (10) in this dual cavity structure embodiment aresubstantially similar to the components described above in detail inconjunction with the previous embodiments (e.g., FIG. 2), and thereforeare referred to by the same reference numerals as used therein. Dualcavity structure (34) includes delivery chamber (60) and return chamber(40) and transport containers (50). As discussed above, delivery chamber(60) for elevating transport container (50) by flotation includes alower chamber section (62) disposed internally therein, an upper chambersection (64) and a fluid control valve (66). Fluid control valve (66)controls the amount of fluid and fluid flow within delivery chamber(60). In this embodiment, return chamber (40), unlike some of theembodiments described above, has a fluid disposed therein for loweringtransport containers (50) by sinking them in the fluid, therebyeliminating any need for hoist or wire pulley systems to lower transportcontainers (50). The fluid in return chamber (40) may be same as thefluid (e.g., water) in delivery chamber (60) or a different fluid may beused in return chamber (40). Return chamber (40) may further include alower section (42), an upper section (44) and fluid control valve (66).Similar to operation in delivery chamber (60), fluid control valve (66)controls fluid flow in return chamber (40).

FIGS. 19 a and 19 b show alternative fluid control and lower chambersection configurations for elevation apparatus (10). FIG. 19 a shows anembodiment of elevation apparatus (10) including both delivery (60) andreturn chambers (40) disposed with one large chamber (98) includingguides (100) which define an elevation path for transport chamber (50)as delivery chamber (60) and return path for transport chamber (50) asreturn chamber (40). This embodiment also includes lower chamber section(62 or 42) operatively connected or internally disposed within largechamber (98) such that the lower chamber serves as lower chamber section(62) for the delivery chamber (60) and also lower chamber section (42)for return chamber (40). Fluid control valve (66) controls fluid flow inlarge chamber (98), thereby controlling fluid flow in both deliverychamber (60) and return chamber (40).

FIG. 19 b shows an embodiment of elevation apparatus (10) includingdelivery chamber (60) and return chamber (40), both of which areoperatively connected with a common lower chamber section (62 or 42) andfluid control valve (66).

Return chamber (40) may also include control gate (96) arranged to haverelatively short horizontal stops that may screw advancing inward (byelectrical motor or other similar device) to stop the returningcontainers (50) from falling into an occupied lower chamber (42) orfalling abruptly into lower chamber (42), which may severely damagereturning transport container (50). Multiple control gates (96) may beinstalled if multiple containers (50) are anticipated to arrive at thelower part of the return route in return chamber (40). An operator maycontrol ingress and egress of transport containers (50) through controlgate (96) directly or direct a control system (not shown) to send anappropriate signal to automatically actuate control gate (96) based uponthe location and position information of transport containers (50).

In this embodiment, as described in relation to and shown in FIGS. 18,18 a and 18 b, a location device (92) is operatively connected with thetransportation container (50) to send, receive, or send and receivelocation information of transport container (50) travelling withindelivery chamber (60) or return chamber (40) to a monitoring station(94) including a similar location device (92 m), or to one or more ofother location devices (92 u, 92 l) operatively connected to othersections of delivery and return chambers (60, 40) or transport container(50). Location devices (92) may be configured to function as location orposition tracking systems, which are capable of wirelessly transmittingand receiving location information to and from a monitoring station orother similar location devices using, e.g. cellular communicationtechnology. Monitoring station (94) may be arranged near the uppersurface of delivery chamber (60), near the bottom part of lower chambersection (62, 42), or at remote locations.

Return chamber (40) (and in particular, lower section 42) may beconstructed to facilitate operative communication of transport container(50) with transport channel (44) and bin (46) (not shown) to loadmaterial while transport container (50) remains within lower chamber(42) of return chamber (40). In an alternative embodiment, transportcontainer (50) may be filled by gravity from an ore chute (not shown)while transport container (50) still is in delivery chamber (60). At theupper end of the delivery chamber (60), transport container (50) may beunloaded as described for previous embodiments.

In another embodiment, elevation apparatus (10) is as described withrespect to the above embodiment including fluid-filled delivery chamber(60) and fluid-filled return chamber (40), but further includes anauxiliary hoist chamber (70) as described above, thereby makingelevation apparatus (10) a tripartite cavity structure. In yet anotherembodiment, elevation apparatus (10) as described in relation to andshown in FIG. 19 is used in above-ground or below-ground operations in avertical orientation (as discussed and shown in FIGS. 2 and 16) or in aninclined orientation (as discussed and shown in FIGS. 14 and 17).

In operation, elevation apparatus (10) of the present invention elevatesanimate or inanimate objects within chamber framework (30) from beneaththe earth's surface or above the earth's surface, including rocks, rockfragments, related mining materials, mining and operational equipment,and the like. Elevation apparatus (10) may be employed to elevate humanbeings, such as mining personnel, and other animate objects from beneaththe earth's surface or above the earth's surface. For instance,elevation apparatus (10) may be used as a means of egress to removepersonnel from beneath the earth's surface in a mining emergencysituation where a power outage occurs, or under circumstances wherelimited space becomes available to achieve egress from a mine or othersuch underground location. In such emergency mining situation in whichpower supply systems powering apparatus (10) fails, valve (66) andloading system (e.g., as described in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9) for lowerchamber (62) may be powered by a local battery power system. Transportcontainers (50) may be used as escape pods to transport humans to a safeelevation and may be arranged to hold adequate air for the personnelthereon to reach the safe elevation. Although the difference in airpressure between levels corresponding to a safe elevation and to aloading station area near lower chamber (62) may not be particularlyharmful, the pressure in transport container (50) may be releasedgradually through a pressure relief valve, e.g., a hand-turned pressurevalve, when transport container (50) containing rescued personnelreaches the surface. Elevation apparatus (10) including at least onefluid-filled chamber as discussed above, may be installed along with amine shaft structure, e.g., a mine shaft structure including wire ropehoisting to transport objects. In this case, the additional elevationapparatus (10) may be used for transporting personnel safely inemergency situations, e.g., during mine flooding. During such mineflooding situation, the lower part of the shaft and adjacent componentsassociated with the shaft may be sealed off from the flooded area,thereby providing trapped personnel an opportunity to escape from theflooded area using elevation apparatus (10) as described above. Even ifthe rescued personnel do not reach the top end of the shaft, the minersmay reach at a sufficient elevation to access air at the surface of thewater and subsequently be rescued from that elevation using otherrescuing apparatus and methods.

In some embodiments, at least one of delivery chamber (60), returnchamber (40) and transportation chamber (90) of elevation apparatus (10)may be used as a conduit to remove unwanted liquid, e.g., water in amine.

Subsurface or above surface inanimate or animate objects are elevatedwithin an essentially airtight transport container (50), which moveswithin chamber framework (30) constructed within shaft elevationstructure (20). Transport container (50) may be filled with materialsfrom bin (46), such as rock, rock fragments or any number of inanimateobjects requiring transport. For elevation within delivery chamber (60),transport container (50) is filled with material in a manner such thatthe density of transport container (50) containing material is less thanthe density of fluid (65) in fluid filled deliver chamber (60) in orderto generate sufficient buoyancy to elevate transport container (50) andits contents within chamber framework (30). In embodiments describedabove which include fluid-filled return chamber (40) to lower transportcontainer (50) by sinking, transport container (50) ready for return inreturn chamber (40) is filled with a liquid (e.g., water) such that theoverall density of transport container (50) is more than the density offluid in return chamber (40) in order for transport container to descendby sinking in the fluid in return chamber (40). Typically, thecomposition and geometry of transport container (50) takes into accountthe density of the material transported. Where extraordinarily densematerial is being transported, the container may have some buoyancyeither integrated into the structure or separately available, of varyingsizes and separately deployable as a function of the material's specificgravity vis-à-vis the fluid (65) specific gravity, and transportcontainer (50) and its buoyancy modifiers. Buoyancy modifiers may appendan exterior of transport container (50) or be placed interiorly. Forefficient transportation of material and transport containers (50), anoperator may use a load cell (operatively connected to elevationapparatus (10)) to fill and detect a predetermined weight that willprovide transport container (50) a desirable positive buoyancy forelevation in delivery chamber (60). Similarly, the operator may alsodetermine the desired negative buoyancy before returning the containerwith the load cell to control the speed at which transport container islowered in return chamber (40).

After transport container (50) is filled with material from bin (46)through transport channel (44), transport container (50) is sealed andguided into lower chamber section (62) of delivery chamber (60). Lowerchamber section (62) is positioned below fluid control valve (66) withindelivery chamber (60). Transport container (50) is guided into lowerchamber section (62) by a positioning device, such as a lateral conveyor(67), a ram (67 a), a shuttle tram (81) or other such positioningdevices designed to secure and mobilize objects from one location to analternate location. Transport container (50) is then held in placewithin lower chamber section (62) by a locking device (not shown)securely attached near the bottom portion of lower chamber section (62).

With filled transport container (50) securely stationed within lowerchamber section (62) of deliver chamber (60), lower chamber hatch (68)is then closed and fluid control valve (66) is opened, which allowsfluid to enter into lower chamber section (62) from upper chambersection (64) until transport container (50) floats above fluid controlvalve (66). When transport container (50) floats upwardly past fluidcontrol valve (66), fluid control valve (66) is then closed, and lowerchamber hatch (68) is opened to release any residual amount of fluid (65a) remaining in lower chamber section (62). Fluid replacement withinupper chamber section (64) of delivery chamber (60) may or may not benecessary, depending upon fluid availability at a particular site or ina particular environment. If necessary, replacement fluid may be addedthrough the top opening of upper chamber section (64) of deliverychamber (60) by pumping or other available fluid transport devices. Asdepicted in FIG. 13, residual fluid (65 a) may alternatively bere-circulated from lower chamber section (62) into upper chamber section(64) by re-circulation pipe (61) in order to replenish fluid withinupper chamber section (64) of delivery chamber (60).

Residual fluid (65 a) remaining in lower chamber section (62) of deliverchamber (60) flows away from shaft elevation structure (20) or may beremoved by fluid pumping equipment (not shown). Alternatively, lowerchamber hatch (68) of lower chamber section (62) may operativelycommunicate with an externally disposed drain facility (not shown),which would obviate the need for pumping residual fluid (65 a). In analternative embodiment of the present invention (not shown), deliverychamber (60) may itself be used as a conduit for pumping fluid upwardwithin chamber framework (30), with or without transport container (50)present, particularly in circumstances where a drainage area is notavailable for residual fluid (65 a).

When elevation apparatus (10) is positioned above ground, such as over amountain pass with a fluid source higher on one flank of the pass, fluidmay be fed from the high flank into upper chamber section (64) ofdelivery chamber (60), and subsequently released onto the valley floorwhen lower chamber hatch (68) of lower chamber section (62) of deliverychamber (60) is opened.

After transport container (50) floats to the top of upper chamber (64)of delivery chamber (60), transport container (50) may be connected toupper shuttle tram (84), which guides transport container (50) to astockpile (82) or other such desirable surface location at which thecontents of transport container (50) are released. Upper shuttle tram(84) releases the contents of transport container (50), and may employat least one tine as previously described with respect to lower shuttletram (81), whereupon a pincer type arm girds transport container (50)for hoisting, inversion, and disgorgement of transport container (50)contents. As an alternative to employing a shuttle tram (84) to positiontransport container (50) for dumping or otherwise releasing its contentsonto stockpile (82) or other desired surface location, a tipple system(not shown) may be employed to position transport container (50) foremptying.

After its contents are emptied, transport container (50) is then guidedtoward and lowered into return chamber (40) to retrieve or deliveranother load of materials or objects or to repeat the cycle describedabove. Transport container (50) may descend within return chamber (40)with transport container (50) either empty, filled with material totransport within chamber framework (30), or in a collapsed form.Transport containers (50) may be transported within return chamber (40)by a hoist, or haulage vehicle, or other such mechanism for controllingthe decent velocity of transport containers (50) within return chamber(40). Several collapsed transport containers (50) may be placed in abucket, skip, cage, or similar housing and lowered within return chamber(40) simultaneously, or transport containers (50) may be lowered withinreturn chamber (40) one at a time. Alternatively, the descent velocityof transport container (50) within return chamber (40) may be modulatedby an air compression device (not shown) operatively attached to shaftelevation structure (20) or an internally disposed braking system (notshown).

An auxiliary surface hoist (72) is depicted in FIG. 1 in conjunctionwith auxiliary hoist chamber (70) and may be employed as an emergency,maintenance, personnel or otherwise alternative elevation device foringress or egress of animate or inanimate objects within chamberframework (30). Alternatively, delivery chamber (60) and transportcontainer (50) of shaft elevation structure (20) may be employed toelevate personnel and other animate objects within chamber framework(30) in various circumstances, including mining emergencies, powerfailures and the like.

In an incline elevation environment, elevation shaft structure (20), andchamber framework (30) operate in essentially the same fashion asdescribed above. As depicted in FIG. 14, chamber framework (30) includesa dual cavity structure (34), incorporating return chamber (40 a) andfluid filled deliver chamber (60). Return chamber (40 a) is depictedincorporating a laterally and adjacently disposed ventilation channel(41), which facilitates ventilation within return chamber (40 a)simultaneously with the movement of transport container (50 a) withinreturn chamber (40 a). An alternative to employing return chamber (40 a)for returning transport containers (50 a) back within chamber framework(30) is use of truck haulage units to return transport containers (50 a)within chamber framework (30) for loading or unloading.

Transport container (50 a) includes an internally disposed partition(56), which maintains rock or other transported material on the lowerlongitudinal portion of transport container (50 a) as transportcontainer (50 a) is elevated at an incline angle within delivery chamber(60). Partitioning transported material to remain along the lowerlongitudinal portion of transport container (50 a) helps to minimizecontact between the outer surface of transport container (50 a) and theinner surface wall of delivery chamber (60) as transport container (50a) is elevated within delivery chamber (60) at an angle. Preferably, theangle of elevation should be greater than 20 degrees and preferably 45degrees, plus or minus 15 degrees.

In elevation apparatus (10) described with respect to and shown in FIG.18, transport container (50) is partially filled with animate orinanimate objects (so as to retain positive buoyancy in transportationchamber (90)), adjacent to or directly under a vertical or inclinedtransportation chamber (90). Transport container (50) is sealed andplaced in lower chamber section (62), fluid control valve (66) isopened, thereby flooding lower chamber section (62) with fluid fromupper section (64), and as a result transport container (50) rises up intransportation chamber (90) through fluid control valve (66) to thesurface co-planar with the upper end of transportation chamber (90).Fluid control valve (66) may be left open and lower chamber hatch (68)is left closed as transport container (50) elevates throughtransportation chamber (90) so that fluid level in transportationchamber (90) is retained for subsequent lowering of transport containers(50) in the same fluid.

At the top of transportation chamber (90), container (50) is emptiedjust above or adjacent to transportation chamber (90), and thenpartially filled with a liquid (e.g., water) or other material toprepare container (50) to have negative buoyancy to sink down throughthe fluid in transportation chamber (90). Transport container (50) maysink down at a moderate rate through upper chamber (64) and fluidcontrol valve (66) to the bottom of the sealed lower chamber section(62). At the end of the hoisting cycle, fluid control valve (66) isclosed, and lower chamber section (62) and container (50) is drained forpreparation of the next hoisting cycle. In this embodiment, processessuch as loading/unloading processes described above can also beintegrated herewith.

In elevation apparatus (10) described with respect to and shown in FIG.19, transport container (50) is partially filled with animate orinanimate objects (so as to retain positive buoyancy in delivery chamber(60)), adjacent to or directly under a vertical or inclined deliverychamber (60). Transport container (50) is sealed and placed in lowerchamber section (62), fluid control valve (66) is opened, therebyflooding lower chamber section (62) with fluid from upper section (64),and as a result transport container (50) rises up in delivery chamber(60) through fluid control valve (66) to the surface co-planar with theupper end of delivery chamber (60). When transport container (50) floatsupwardly past fluid control valve (66), fluid control valve (66) is thenclosed, and lower chamber hatch (68) is opened to release any residualamount of fluid remaining in lower chamber section (62). Fluidreplacement within upper chamber section (64) of delivery chamber (60)may or may not be necessary, depending upon fluid availability at aparticular site or in a particular environment. If necessary,replacement fluid may be provided as described above.

At the top end of upper chamber section (64), transport container (50)is emptied just above or adjacent to delivery chamber (60), and thenpartially filled with a liquid (e.g., water) or other material toprepare container (50) to have negative buoyancy to sink down throughthe fluid in return chamber (40). Transport container (50) is thenplaced in fluid-filled return chamber (40), and allowed to sink backdown at a moderate rate through upper chamber (44) and fluid controlvalve (66) to the bottom of the sealed lower chamber section (42) ofreturn chamber (40). At the end of the hoisting cycle, fluid controlvalve (66) of return chamber (40) is closed, and lower chamber section(42) and container (50) is drained for preparation of the next hoistingcycle. In this embodiment, processes such as loading/unloading processesdescribed above can also be integrated herewith.

Having thus described the invention, it should be apparent that numerousstructural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention as set forthhereinabove and as defined below by the claims.

1.-40. (canceled)
 41. An apparatus comprising: a transport containercontaining animate or inanimate objects, or a liquid; a transportationchamber for transporting the transport container therewithin; and alocation device releasably secured with the transport container toexchange location information of the transport container with amonitoring station.
 42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the locationinformation includes longitudinal, latitudinal, or elevational positionof the transport container within the transportation chamber.
 43. Theapparatus of claim 41, wherein the location device further includes: areceiver for receiving a location request message including anidentification code; a processing device for storing an uniqueidentification code, determining a location of the location device,comparing the received identification code with the uniqueidentification code, and based on the comparison, generating a locationsignal; and a transmitter for transmitting the location signal.
 44. Theapparatus of claim 43, wherein the processing device further includes amemory for storing the unique identification code.
 45. The apparatus forclaim 43, further comprising an emergency unit for generating anemergency signal for transmission to the monitoring station upondetection of an emergency situation.
 46. A method comprising:transporting a transport container containing animate or inanimateobjects, or a liquid within a within a transportation chamber; andexchanging location information of the transport container between alocation device releasably secured with the transport container and amonitoring station.
 47. The method of claim 46, wherein the locationinformation includes longitudinal, latitudinal, or elevational positionof the transport container within the transportation chamber.
 48. Themethod of claim 46, the exchanging of location information furthercomprises: associating an unique identification code with the locationdevice; receiving at the location device a location request messageincluding an identification code; determining a location of the locationdevice; comparing the received identification code with the uniqueidentification code; generating a location signal, if the receivedidentification code matches the unique identification code; andtransmitting the location signal.
 49. The method of claim 46, furthercomprising generating an emergency signal for transmission to themonitoring station upon detection of an emergency situation.